St Kilda vows to build Spud’s Game into the biggest event on their calendar despite 0-3 record
Despite being 0-3 in Spud’s Game celebrations following Friday night’s loss to Brisbane, St Kilda say they remain committed to the important cause.
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St Kilda will build Spud’s Game into its biggest event on the football calendar despite a 0-3 record and last year’s vow to “apply a strong football lens to any cause games we consider undertaking”.
The Saints have won six out of their 18 cause games and the football department review that led to the sacking of coach Brett Ratten highlighted a need to “sharpen our focus on football, minimise distractions to the football program and maximise support”.
But the Saints could not blame preparations for Spud’s Game for their flat start against Brisbane Lions on Friday night after front-ending player and coaching commitments to promote the match.
They were all completed by Wednesday so the football department could focus solely on the clash, whereas commitments in previous years have stretched long into the week.
The Saints also tapped into Spud’s Game ambassadors and broader mental health advocates to help promote the game and have no plans to reconsider staging what has become a powerful initiative to tackle mental health.
“St Kilda is proud of its longstanding relationships with its community partners and acknowledges its responsibility and privilege to help champion issues that impact the wider community,” chief executive Simon Lethlean said on Saturday.
“The club will continue to support various causes in 2023 and beyond, such as Spud’s Game which raises money for mental health programs facilitated through the Danny Frawley Centre.
“However, as stated in the Football Program Review findings, the club will refine the involvement of its football program to minimise distractions where appropriate.”
Maddie’s Match and the Pride Game – where players wear special kits to promote other worthy causes – have also been constants in the Saints’ fixture. But those events require far less input from the football department.
The Saints do not want to let a handful of games dominate their football program and Spud’s Game is their priority.
While the Saints crashed to a shock loss against Essendon in Spud’s Game last year, the other two defeats have come against eventual premier Melbourne in 2021 and now the contending Lions.
The Saints were short on options to choose an opponent this year. Their only home games against Victorian teams before July came against Essendon and Hawthorn.
But the clash against the Bombers was a celebration of the club’s 150th anniversary while the clash against Hawthorn was played in indigenous Round.
The club did not want to leave Spud’s Game until late in the season, leaving home matches against Fremantle (round 1), Gold Coast (round 4), Port Adelaide (round 7) and the Lions (round 15) to choose from.
The Lions match made the most sense because it was broadcast under the Friday night lights. The Saints also had an eight-day break leading in.
The Saints came out flat, kicking two goals in the first half with their pressure rating a poor 163.
The AFL average is about 180. The Saints spiked to 192 in the second half as they fought back in clearances with Jack Sinclair moved onball.
“They monstered us around the ball in the first half, clearances 20-10,” coach Ross Lyon said.
“I thought we’d put up a better showing but we sit here disappointed.”
St Kilda will always support Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision for as long as opponent Richmond and the foundation remain keen to continue.
That match raises money for Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision to help find a cure for bone marrow failure and will be staged in round 22 this year.
Activations for this year’s Pride Game, which the Saints won to spoil Lance Franklin’s 350th match, was led by Sydney as the home team.
Originally published as St Kilda vows to build Spud’s Game into the biggest event on their calendar despite 0-3 record
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